Sunday September 10, 2023

It looks like that picture is sideways,  Colleen and Meggan are lying down on the couch.  WHAT???  Yes we are with Meggan and Janise at their home in California.  Meggan is going in for surgery on her back tomorrow morning so we received permission to come and be with her and to help her for a few days.  We are also going to Salt Lake to meet with a Dr. to see what can be done to help Colleen with her back issues. We are so happy to be here with Meggan and Janise.  They moved in to a new home for them, about 3 weeks ago, at that point we didn't think we would be seeing them or their new house for a while but when Meggan told us that she was going to be having surgery on her back we decided that if possible we should be here to support her through this.  So we got permission from our mission president to come to be with her.  We had talked already with him about maybe going to Salt Lake to see a Dr about Colleen's back but didn't have anything set up.  With this trip we are so glad to be able to be here for Meggan and hopefully get some help for Colleen.  It was a very quick decision, quick planning, purchasing airline tickets, etc. but we are so happy to be here in California with them.  Meggan is having surgery tomorrow morning, we have to be there at 5:00 in the morning. It is called a micro discectomy and neuroforaminal laparotomy on L4-L5.  I hope this helps her with her back pain as it has been too much for her to be able to do what she needs to do at work and at home with the back pain.  The Dr said after she saw him this last time that this is what she needs to resolve this issue with the pain.   So we are hoping, and praying for her speedy recovery.  We will go with her tomorrow morning and spend the next few days here with them, hopefully not too much in the way but helping with whatever is needed to recover and recuperate soon.  It was so fast that it seemed and still does seem unreal except that here we are in California USA. 😊 We flew to Houston on Friday, leaving San Pedro Sula around noon, then we had a 3 hour wait in Houston before flying to Santa Ana Ca later that night.  That was good though that we had that much time as we were able to sit down and enjoy our first meal back in the States.  I had Texas BBQ, and mom got a crepe.  It was so good!!  We got in to CA late friday night then went to lunch with Meggan and Janise the next day and we had chick-fil-a.  It still seems unreal but great all at the same time.  We went to church today in Meggan's ward, the sacrament meeting was really nice.  Colleen cried through most of it, 😀 she said afterward, I could understand every word, and the music was so wonderful!   It really was a good meeting, with gratitude and recognizing God's hand in our lives as the topic.  I know that there are so many times that I receive blessings, and guidance without recognizing them for what they are, but I do know that we are so blessed and watched over in so many daily experiences.  We are so blessed to be able to be here now for Meggan and are so grateful for the blessing to be an eternal family.  


As we were driving out of Tela I asked Hermana Chappell to take this picture,  it really is a different world here in so many ways.  So beautiful, green humid and HOT, 

 Here we are on the plane leaving Honduras,  is this real??  It really did seem not real.  


The night before we left we got this birthday cake and went out and had a little birthday party with this family, it was fun, they have absolutely nothing.  

Transfers are this next week and we assume that since he has been in Tela for 6 months that Elder Martinez will be moved to another area, he is the one next to me.  We have become so close to these missionaries, most especially those who serve in Tela and Telamar.  It is hard to say goodbye. 

Hermana Seb, from Guatemala on the left is finishing up her mission and will be going home this next week as well, so when we get back to Tela there will be a new sister, Hermana, as well as a new Elder there.  Change is a big part of missionary service.  



We were able to spend some time with the Hermanas on Thursday night before we left. It is always a great experience to be with them.  We are so blessed to have this missionary opportunity at this time in our life.  It has been such a learning experience for us, but so rewarding.  It has had its difficulties and successes like life does to us,  but in all we wouldn't trade it for anything.  By the time we get back in Tela, we will be really close to the halfway point in our mission, with the most difficult half behind us.  We are both getting better with the Spanish and the culture, and all the adjustments that are a part of moving to a new place.  We hope for a great time here with Meggan as well as being in Salt Lake for a few days.  Thank you Heavenly Father for a wonderful family, for the gospel, for our Savior Jesus Christ.  

4 Elders wanted a ride after a conference, it was more weight and space than that little car was intended for but here we are 😂

Hermana Gomez, Hermana Chappell, and Hermana Seb

The Hermana's like to have us all color coordinated for zone conference 😄

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